BlackSky Technology and Rocket Lab USA, have established a launch window opening May 27 for the second Gen-3 satellite. The launch, named “Full Stream Ahead,” will add very high-resolution 35-centimeter imaging capability to BlackSky’s high-cadence, low-latency data and AI-enabled analytics offerings.
“Each successive Gen-3 launch represents a major step forward for our global defense and intelligence customer base with the prospect of new mission applications that will be enabled by combining very high-resolution imaging with high-frequency monitoring and advanced AI analytics,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “With every Gen-3 addition we improve revisit rates, capacity and the quantity and quality of actionable intelligence for our customers.”
BlackSky is setting new industry standards using advanced software and AI-enabled automation to accelerate space-based intelligence capabilities through disruptive speed, economics and insights.
BlackSky has signed multiple early access contracts for Gen-3 services with anticipated general commercial availability anticipated to begin by Q4. The company is on track to place eight Gen-3 satellites on orbit by early 2026.
As BlackSky’s constellation evolves with the regular addition of Gen-3 satellites, BlackSky will continue to optimize for increased constellation capacity and flexibility giving customers confidence in reliable access to services. Gen-3 customers will be able to conduct the automated detection, identification and classification of a wide library of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of tactical interest. These new capabilities will further enable BlackSky’s space-based intelligence applications for tactical ISR missions and strategic intelligence operations.
